Biodynamic farming is a unified approach to agriculture that relates the ecology of the earth-organism to that of the entire cosmos. This approach was first introduced in the 1920's in Europe, by Rudolf Steiner and made its way to the US in the late 1930's.
Black measles can be triggered by one of several fungal strains entering through wounds on the plant's surface. Black measles generally affects plants that are 10 years and older, however, young plants can be impacted as well.
A fungal disease caused by the fungus Guignardia bidwellii. Black Rot thrives in warm, moist weather.
Initially, black rot appears as small, yellowed spots on leafy parts of the plant. As the disease spreads, spots enlarge with a brownish ring forming around the outside of the affected area. Tiny black dots also appear in the rings. Affected fruit starts exhibiting lightly colored brown spots. The affected area spreads and the entire berry rots in a few days. Impacted berries then raisin.
Depending on weather conditions, the fungus Botrytis cinerea creates two distinct types of infection on grape clusters. Consistently cool, damp growing conditions typically cause grey rot, a detrimental infection that dramatically impacts quality and yield. On the other hand, if dry weather immediately follows infection during a moist period, the fungus may produce what is known as "noble rot". On certain varietals, under favorable growing conditions, noble rot results in highly aromatic, sweet dessert wines.
A scale used to measure the sugar density of grapes. While most wine drinkers think of Brix specifically in relation to sugar levels, the system actually measures all soluble solids in the grape juice. It’s simply that the vast majority of these solids are sugars.
The scale, introduced by Adolf Brix in 1897, is usually measured by using a hydrometer or refractometer. The system is calibrated so that each degree Brix is equivalent to 18 grams of sugar in 1 liter of solution.
Budbreak marks the arrival of the growing season. Prior to budbreak, vines lay dormant throughout the winter months. During this dormant period, vineyard crews prune back the previous year’s growth on each vine. With the arrival of warmer temperatures, buds begin to swell and eventually open to reveal shoots. There are several challenges during this initial growth period that can dramatically affect yields. The young shoots are particularly vulnerable to morning frosts.
An umbrella term for fruit-rotting diseases caused by yeast, fungus or bacteria. Bunch rot is generally characterized by a significant percentage of berries being affected. Botrytis is a well-known form of bunch rot.
Bunch rot can cause significant crop loss because a single infected berry can affect adjacent berries and spoil an entire cluster.
Concentrations of calcium in soil benefit vine growth and health. The mineral exists in soils in various forms, including clay, chalk, limestone and marlstone – all the results of marine life deposits over millions of years. While porous during periods of heavy precipitation, calcium content in soil increases water retention properties when water is scarce. The thermal radiating and conductivity properties of soils containing higher concentrations of calcium can aid in the root growth and the ripening of fruit.
The canopy consists of the portion of the grapevine that is above ground. This includes the shoots (lateral shoots, tendrils and petioles) as well as the leaves and the fruit. Many viticulturists also include the trunk, cordon and canes as part of the canopy, but this is not universally accepted. Many techniques are employed in managing the canopy to control the health and yields, while maximizing the quality of the wine produced from its fruit.
